Spiced Espresso Tonic with Cardamom and Orange
A refreshing and invigorating espresso tonic layered with warm cardamom spice and bright orange notes for a unique coffee cocktail. This recipe, ready in about 8 minutes, brings together freshly brewed espresso, tonic water, cardamom syrup for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 90 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 oz freshly brewed espresso
- 4 oz tonic water
- 3/4 oz cardamom syrup
- 1 thin strip orange peel
- 1 cup ice cubes
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Equipment for this recipe
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Instructions
- Step 1: Fill a highball glass with 1 cup of ice cubes to chill the glass thoroughly.
- Step 2: Pour 3/4 oz cardamom syrup over the ice.
- Step 3: Slowly add 4 oz tonic water to the glass, pouring gently to preserve carbonation.
- Step 4: Brew 2 oz fresh espresso and allow it to cool slightly for about 20 seconds.
- Step 5: Carefully pour the espresso over the back of a spoon onto the tonic so it floats as a dark layer on top.
- Step 6: Express the oils of 1 thin strip of orange peel over the surface, rub the peel along the rim, then rest it on the edge of the glass as garnish.






